Maine Calling on Maine Public Radio Discusses Assistive Technology

Maine Calling, is doing a special series called Ready and Able, Living with a Disability in Maine. In their most recent segment in this series, they focused on assistive technology or AT. Lonnie Carlson, Executive Director from MaineCITE (Community Inclusion through Technology) A CAC partner organization, was featured in the show to share information and answer questions about AT. The discussion goes into detail about what is considered AT, which includes a long list of low tech solutions such as adaptive kitchen tools or dressing aides to higher tech tools such as smart phones and different apps. The show also features conversation with two people from Disability Rights Maine, Lisa Penney, deaf services advocate and technology specialist and Sara Squires, Public Policy Director. Throughout much of the rest of the show they share information as people call in with questions about how Disability Rights Maine could work with them. Jozie Easler, SUFU board member and CCIDS CAC member was a guest caller to share firsthand experiences and information about how AT supports them in their daily life. Jozie shares because they are visually impaired a high-tech solution they use is a screen reading program called JAWS that reads things out loud. A low-tech solution that Jozie uses as well are braille stickers on things around the home. The show shares a wealth of information and resources available through many different agencies throughout the state.